2

days

Berlin

Athens of the Spree

The country's capital and largest city, Berlin is a diverse urban center boasting a lively nightlife and countless things to do.

Kick off your visit on the 9th (Fri): don't miss a visit to Gendarmenmarkt, examine the collection at Topography of Terror, then appreciate the history behind Berlin Wall Memorial, and finally examine the collection at Pergamonmuseum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 10th (Sat): admire the landmark architecture of Berlin Cathedral, contemplate the long history of East Side Gallery, and then enjoy breathtaking views from Television Tower.

Use the Route module to find travel options from your starting location to Berlin. In December, daily temperatures in Berlin can reach 4°C, while at night they dip to 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 10th (Sat) early enough to drive to Dresden.

2

days

Dresden

Florence of the North

Dresden boasts a long history as a royal residence of many Saxon kings.

Start off your visit on the 11th (Sun): make a trip to Zwinger, don't miss a visit to Bruehl Terrace, and then don't miss a visit to Procession of Princes. On your second day here, pause for some serene contemplation at Sankt Martin Kirche, snap pictures at Augustusbrucke, then pause for some serene contemplation at Frauenkirche Dresden, then look for gifts at Ullmann's Laden, and finally look for gifts at Tradition & Form - Wendt und Kühn Fachhändler.

Traveling by car from Berlin to Dresden takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 3°C in December, and nighttime lows around -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Tue) so you can travel to Munich.

2

days

Munich

Village of a Million People

Often described as the city of laptops and lederhosen, Munich is an international center of business, engineering, research, and medicine that still maintains a rich cultural heritage and age-old traditions.

On the 13th (Tue), explore the activities along English Garden and then examine the collection at BMW Museum. On the 14th (Wed), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake Tegernsee, admire all the interesting features of Allianz Arena, and then examine the collection at BMW Welt.

To find reviews, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, you can read our Munich vacation builder.

You can do a combination of train and flight from Dresden to Munich in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Expect a daytime high around 6°C in December, and nighttime lows around -1°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 15th (Thu) to allow enough time to drive to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

3

days

Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Nestled within the Bavarian Alps, Garmisch-Partenkirchen offers a classic mountain feel along with world-class winter sports.

You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Zugspitze and Linderhof Palace. Get outdoors at Laber and Garmisch-Classic. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Fussen Feuerhaus (in Fussen) and Schloss Hohenschwangau (in Hohenschwangau). It doesn't end there: have fun at Tennishütte im Tennissportparadies Grainau.

You can drive from Munich to Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 1.5 hours. Other options are to take a bus; or take a train. December in Garmisch-Partenkirchen sees daily highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 17th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Oberstdorf.

2

days

Oberstdorf

Hiking Village

Nestled within the heart of the Bavarian Alps, Oberstdorf offers classic mountain charm combined with some of the best winter resorts and sports in Europe.

On the 18th (Sun), tour the pleasant surroundings at Heini-Klopfer Skiflugschanze, look for gifts at Schnaps-Kabinett Oberstaufen, and then pause for some serene contemplation at Baslika St. Lorenz. Here are some ideas for day two: fly down the slopes at Neue Skischule and then take in the dramatic natural features at Breitachklamm.

Traveling by car from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Oberstdorf takes 1.5 hours. Traveling from Garmisch-Partenkirchen in December, Oberstdorf is somewhat warmer at night with lows of 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 20th (Tue) early enough to travel to Keitum.

4

days

Keitum, Sylt

Do a combination of car and flight from Oberstdorf to Keitum in 5.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 5°C in December, and nighttime lows around 2°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 23rd (Fri) to allow time to travel back home.